I am all about color. I’ve never shied away from it. In fact, I gravitate towards it. There is an energy and fullness of life that is fueled in me by vibrant hues. Colors penetrate many areas of my life, not only in my photography. I love brightly hued blouses, colorful pillows and saturated paintings. For me, colors are the spice of life.

So, you can understand my frustration when back in 2010, when I started to post my photos online, I noticed, as with many forms of art and design, a lot of the popular work was represented in vintage tones and washed out pastels. Now, why I do find a lot of this work charming, it doesn’t create an excitement in me. It doesn’t make my heart go pitter-patter. It feels safe. And for me, photography, should do more than just be “pretty”. It should put a smile on my face and then make me think. It should make my spirit soar and it should make a statement: Look at me, I’ve got something to say!

I’ve often struggled with finding a place for my work, finding the best fit, going against the grain. My photographs instantly seemed to stand out and defy what was popular. I’ve tried my hand at a softer touch, for more subtlety. I’ve done this both successfully, and many times not so successfully. Ultimately, I keep coming back to what draws me in – pure, saturated color.

Nowadays in my work, I’ve decided to go unapologetically into my embrace of bright pigments. It’s become my thing, I guess. In recent years, I’ve begun to see a shift in photography, away from much of the vintage filters and a movement towards intense uses of color. And that excites me very much!

So, today I’d like to share with you some awesome images that celebrate the use of color. These are some of my fave photographers lately, who go bold with their tones. They unabashedly fill their images with bright lights and vibrant subjects.

Az Jackson is an award winning photographer who creates vibrant cityscapes and landscapes that excite the senses. ‘Color of Manhattan’ is one of my favorites. A very cool perspective and the colors practically leap out at you.

Colorful, minimalist photography is Tom Windeknecht’s signature style. His photos make my heart happy. Minimalism and color together?…who could ask for more! He is also a wonderful Instagram content creator.

The Wonder Wheel at Coney Island has been photographed countless times. Photographer Susan Candelarios’ rendition is definitely one of my faves. I adore the crisp, sharp colors and yummy blurriness of the whirling ride.

Ok, here I am again, writing another post “off the cuff”. I need to get it together! October is always a crazy month for me and this year is no different. Getting ready for Halloween, doing photo promotions and developing new work from my recent travels – are all consuming my time and mind.

Somewhere in between all the holiday preparations and photo editing I am going to make my way to the State Fair of Texas, come hell or high water!

Going to the fair is a tradition for me and my family. I still get the same giddy excitement that I did as a kid. Walking up to the gates, my heart races in anticipation of the dizzying rides, neon lights and my first bite into the bready sweet goodness of a Fletchers corny dog dripping with tangy mustard.

Of course, now that I’m older more time is spent strolling through the exhibits and checking out the crafts, than running amuck in the Midway. But, I make it a requirement, that I at least have to enjoy 2 or 3 rides before the night is over. I’m really a kid at heart, after all!

Each year I also try to plan an additional visit just to shoot. No indulging in fried foods, or impossible carnival games, just taking in the scenery, capturing streaks of light and vibrant colors. This is serious business!

So, in honor of our State Fair being in town, I thought I would share some fair inspired photos and art made by my fellow artists. Hope you enjoy!

Also, if you’re into this sort of thing, take a look at some more of my carnival images at Etsy and Fine Art America.

Like this:

I know it’s been FOREVER since I’ve posted…Shame on me!! I’ll blame it on this crazy Texas heat.

So….just wanted to take a second to post this Squint Photography feature on the Successful Online Moms blog. (No, I’m not a mom, but it’s all about supporting women and their businesses! So, I’m all for that and you should be too.)